Post by Jack Loomes on Jun 25, 2014 9:40:08 GMT

Editor's note: Dr. Timothy Dawson believes this sword, which is now housed in Musée de Cluny is Byzantine.* Timothy cites the "...unusual (for the west) globular pommel." and engravings "...reminiscent of Byzantine marginal reliefs." Dr. Dawson's observation is, I believe, as almost always spot on. This sword may have been a purely Byzantine creation or may represent a hybridisation of Norse and Roman sword makers' sensibilities. If the sword was a blend, it is likely that the sword was once the property of a Varangian Guardsman as other finds from Bulgaria as identified by Professor Valeri Yotov seem to indicate that the melding of these two cultural styles were a frequent feature of Varangian Guard swords.